Birmingham City players shaken by injury to teammate Liam Ridgewell

Apr 14 2009 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

DAMIEN Johnson today admitted that concern about Liam Ridgewell’s welfare overshadowed Blues’ battling draw against Plymouth Argyle.

Under normal circumstances, nothing but victory would have sufficed on Easter Monday.

But reduced to 10 men by Maik Taylor’s sending-off and going a goal down, then having seen Ridgewell break his leg, Johnson said Blues came through satisfied with the 1-1 draw.

Results elsewhere meant that Blues kept the second automatic place in the Championship.

But thoughts were with Ridgewell, who faces at least six months out after a tackle by Jamie Mackie, who was absolved from blame.

“I think the result was okay, but Ridge came off badly hurt and I think a lot of the lads are thinking more about Ridge really,” said Johnson, back in the side as skipper in place of the suspended Lee Carsley.

“What happened put the result into perspective a little bit.

“There was shock on the pitch. We knew he was in trouble and our thoughts are with him at the minute. We wish him all the best.

“He has been playing really well. It’s a big blow to the team but, more importantly, it’s a big blow to him.